Riccardo, aged 49, an Italian, was appointed Independent Non-Executive Director of TM on 18 August 2008. He graduated from Rome University La Sapienza with a Doctor in Law. He is currently a Director of Value Partners SpA and a Senior Adviser of Permira Association SpA based in Milan, Italy.

Riccardo began his career in 1986, as a Sales Manager at Finnivest, Mediaset Group. In 1991, he joined the Olivetti Group serving in various capacities including Vice President for International Client and Business Development of Telecom-munications Service Worldwide, Marketing and Business Development. His last position during his 11 years with the Olivetti Group was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Infostrada SpA (a joint venture between Olivetti and Mannesman), responsible for the transformation of the start-up company into the first alternative wireline and Internet competitor to Telecom Italia.

In 2001, Riccardo joined Telecom Italia as President of its Wireline Business Unit, responsible for managing and developing the wireline and Internet broadband business worldwide. He was appointed CEO of Telecom Italia Group in October 2005, a position he held until December 2007. As CEO, he was responsible for the management and development of Telecom Italia’s fixed, mobile, broadband and digital media business worldwide. Riccardo also has extensive experience in the management and development of content in a multi-platform environment, including IPTV, mobile TV, digital terrestrial television and multimedia broadband portal.